16-Oct-18

Vitamin B3 (Niacin & Niacinamide)

Two main forms of Vitamin B3 are found in foods:
VITAMIN B3 nicotinic acid (niacin) and nicotinamide
(NIACIN & NIACINAMIDE) (niacinamide).
Niacin can be partially satisfied by intake of
tryptophan, which is converted by the liver
into niacin.
60 mg of tryptophan can be converted into
about 1mg of niacin.
 Dietary requirements for niacin are described in
terms of niacin equivalents (NEs):
1NE = 60mg of tryptophan = 1mg of niacin

RDA: 13- 20 mg/day

Pharmacokinetics of Vitamin B3
Sources of Vitamin B3 Absorption:
Nicotinic acid or Niacin Nicotinamide or Niacinamide At low concentration by active transportation.
At high concentration by passive diffusion.

Transportation:
Both Nicotinic acid and Nicotinamide bind to
Meat Fish Sheep liver Prawns Cow’s milk plasma proteins for transportation.

Biosynthesis:
The liver can synthesize Niacin from the essential
amino acid Tryptophan, but the synthesis is
Rice bran Groundnuts Chilgozas Turnip Beet greens
extremely slow and requires vitamin B1, B2, and
B6 (60 mg of Tryptophan 1mg of niacin).
Bacteria in the gut may also perform the conversion
Yeast Bran but are inefficient.

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Functions of Vitamin B3
3. Antioxidant functions:
1. It acts as a co-enzyme in oxidation reduction reactions: It plays an important role in antioxidant systems,
particularly in the liver.
Catabolic Rxn: in form of NAD+/NADH
Anabolic Rxn: in form of NADP+/NADPH 4. Blood sugar regulation:
Therefore, it is required for functions of >200 enzymes It is a component of the glucose tolerance factor
dealing with the biosynthesis of several compounds (GTF), which together with insulin, helps to
e.g. fatty acids, steroids and catabolism of fuel control blood glucose.
molecules for energy.
5. Fat and cholesterol metabolism:
It lowers levels of total and LDL cholesterol in the
2. DNA replication and repair:
blood, while increasing levels of HDL
It is vital for synthesis of DNA-bound nuclear proteins
(histones)
cholesterol (the healthy, protective form of
cholesterol).

Vitamin B3 Deficiency Diseases

2. Severe deficiency leads to Pellagra: Characterized by
1. Milder deficiency of niacin (as well as tryptophan) Inflamed mouth (painful swollen tongue and
can cause: fissured lips) and GIT.
 Glossitis (inflammation of the tongue Diarrhea
leading to purplish discoloration) Dermatitis in the exposed skin of hands, face, neck
Dermatitis around the mouth and rashes (Casal’s necklace)
Fatigue Dementia and mental disorders
Irritability Death.
Poor appetite It is very rare now, except in alcoholics, strict vegetarians,
Indigestion and people with very poor nutrition (or niacin or tryptophan-
Weight loss deficient food e.g corn).
Headache

Glossitis Dermatitis around Fatigue Poor appetite Indigestion Headache Dermatitis of Mental disorders Death.
Inflamed mouth Diarrhea
mouth exposed skin

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People at high risk of vitamin B3 deficiency Uses in prevention and Therapy

Mental illness e.g. schizophrenia: Niacinamide can
People with very poor nutrition (or niacin or
be effective with traditional medical treatment.
tryptophan- deficient food e.g corn).
People with deficiencies in vitamin B6 or Atherosclerosis and heart attack: Niacin in very
riboflavin (conversion of tryptophan to large doses (2-3 g/day):
niacin is reduced niacin stores in the (1) Lower total and LDL cholesterol and
body is reduced). raising HDL cholesterol.
People with inflammatory bowel disease and (2) Dilates blood vessels lowers
other digestive disorders malabsorption blood pressure.
of niacin. Arthritis: Niacin helps in treatment of osteoarthritis.
Heavy alcohol consumption interferes with
absorption and metabolism of niacin. Diabetes: Niacinamide slow down the development
of nephropathy in diabetes and delay need for
People under high stress, chronic illnesses, liver insulin therapy in juvenile diabetes.
disease.

Toxicity and side effects of vitamin B3

Large doses (500 mg) of niacin (but not niacinamide)
Protection against environmental toxins: can cause dilation of capillaries tingling and
The antioxidant function of niacin
flushing of the skin.
help protect liver against damage
Flushing of the skin is usually worse if nicotinic acid
from pesticides, chemicals, alcohol, is taken on an empty stomach, therefore it should
and drugs.
be taken just after meals.
Niacin in the form of niacinamide does not produce
Headache: Niacin help in prevention of
these side effects.
headache. At doses of > 2.5 g / day, it can produce hypotension,
dizziness, increased blood sugar and uric acid,
Treatment of Pellagra. liver dysfunction, and increased risk of peptic
ulcer. These effects are gradually adopted and
decreased and are reversible on withdrawal of
nicotinic acid.

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Vitamin B3 – Drug Interactions

Niacin with antihypertensive drugs severe Carbamazepine may cause toxicity with niacin.
hypotension.
The combination of niacin and statin is often used
Extra niacin may be required in case of people taking
to treat lipid triad (high LDL and TG, low
Isoniazid (Inhibits biotransformation of tryptophan
HDL) may cause myopathy (myopathy is a
to niacin ), by women taking oral contraceptives.
muscular disease in which the muscle
Bile acid sequesterants e.g. Cholestyramine and fibers do not function, resulting in muscular
cholestipol should be taken at a different time than weakness).
niacin (not niacinamide) otherwise they will
reduce its absorption.